Walleye – Red Lakes

Walleye are a fast growing freshwater fish found throughout the northern part of North America, including the Red Lakes.

Walleye populations in the Red Lakes crashed in the mid-1990’s, ending commercial fishing in 1997. However, through cooperative management and recovery plans, commercial fishing opened up again in 2006, well ahead of schedule. Walleye populations are monitored closely and current levels of abundance are above target levels.

Walleye in the Red Lakes are typically caught using gillnets, which cause little damage to bottom habitat and result in moderate levels of bycatch.